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AIBU?

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Original poster

Caught neighbours using my garden

812 replies

Weird21 · 26/07/2021 23:58

I have a block of flats next to my house and I thought for a while things have been moved in my garden and it seemed a bit weird. I’ve got a lock on the gate and it’s always locked. So over the weekend I’ve installed a small out door camera under my guttering which records the whole back garden.

So I’ve come home tonight after work (I work the late shift) and found two cigarette butts on the path by my seating area. So I checked the camera and the neighbors have climbed my wall and been sitting in my garden from 2pm until 8pm using my seating and table. To say I’m annoyed is an understatement but how to I confront them as they aren’t the friendliest of people at the best of times. So I guess they’ve been doing this since the nice weather began.

Unfortunately it’s not difficult to see i’m out as I have to drive to work and so once my cars not there they obviously know I’m out.

I just don’t know how to approach this as I’m a single woman and just concerned it’ll escalate but I can’t allow this what would you all do? I thought maybe a note through their door asking them to not use it anymore. They haven’t seen the camera but now I wonder how long it’s been going on.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
8
Mollymalone123 · 27/07/2021 00:01

I would actually make the camera very obviously visible-in the hope that they see it’s there and don’t ever come back.Then you won’t need to worry about interacting with them .
I can’t believe the nerve of some people!

Aquamarine1029 · 27/07/2021 00:03

I would make a sign to put on the table top.

"You are trespassing, you are being recorded, and the police will be called."

Leftbutcameback · 27/07/2021 00:04

Can you put something on the wall (trellis type) to stop them being able to climb over? That’s very rude, total CFs. Do they not have a garden?

sergeilavrov · 27/07/2021 00:04

Spikes on the top of the fence, or anti climb paint. Report the trespass to the police.

They sound like scum.

choosername1234 · 27/07/2021 00:05

Start growing spiky plants - assuming they're climbing over as the gate is locked ?

tallduckandhandsome · 27/07/2021 00:06

Put up a sign saying no trespassers. Do you know where they live? Tell them it’s private property.

neverknowinglyunreasonable · 27/07/2021 00:07

Is there space for a moat? If not can you monitor the camera remotely and call the police when neighbours arrive?

Original poster
Weird21 · 27/07/2021 00:08

They live in the flats but have no garden or courtyard, there is a park literally the other side of me house with large grass areas for them to sit. I’ll definitely look at spikes or something similar, they are climbing the wall as the panels of the gate make it very difficult to climb over

OP posts:
AnneFuckingKirrin · 27/07/2021 00:08

@Aquamarine1029

I would make a sign to put on the table top.

"You are trespassing, you are being recorded, and the police will be called."

I would do this too but put something along the line of “Fuck off and get your own bloody garden”
AddsVsGeorgs · 27/07/2021 00:08

Can you view the camera without being in the house?
If so, drive the car away, ‘to work’ sit around the corner and wait and then ring the police and say there are intruders in your garden and explain to the police how to get to the garden without them seeing!

Bet they wont try it again

AddsVsGeorgs · 27/07/2021 00:09

Obviously dont say it your neighbours,
Just say intruders

Enough4me · 27/07/2021 00:09

I'd buy anti climb spikes (cheap as chips on Amazon) and put them up. With a sign saying private garden on the wall. Talk loudly to other neighbours about how you think people have been using your garden but don't know who, but it's ok as you will start to film shortly. That will hopefully work without having to deal with them face to face.

Bellyups · 27/07/2021 00:09

I’d do all of the above.
A note doesn’t cut it here

Keeping2ChevronsApart · 27/07/2021 00:10

@AddsVsGeorgs

Can you view the camera without being in the house? If so, drive the car away, ‘to work’ sit around the corner and wait and then ring the police and say there are intruders in your garden and explain to the police how to get to the garden without them seeing!

Bet they wont try it again

That's an excellent idea
TonytheDog · 27/07/2021 00:11

@AddsVsGeorgs

Can you view the camera without being in the house? If so, drive the car away, ‘to work’ sit around the corner and wait and then ring the police and say there are intruders in your garden and explain to the police how to get to the garden without them seeing!

Bet they wont try it again

Cheeky tickets. I'd do as AddsVGeorgs says.
Mermaidwaves · 27/07/2021 00:12

This is so cheeky!! Shock how can they sit there on someone else's grounds relaxing knowing you could come home any time? I echo a PP, pretend to go out then sneak back and catch them. I bet they will front it out!

Original poster
Weird21 · 27/07/2021 00:14

@AddsVsGeorgs

Can you view the camera without being in the house? If so, drive the car away, ‘to work’ sit around the corner and wait and then ring the police and say there are intruders in your garden and explain to the police how to get to the garden without them seeing!

Bet they wont try it again

Yes I can do that as it’s all online I can log on from wherever I want, this is a very good idea, I have Friday off so I might do this. It’s annoyed me as i left for work 1.30 and by 2 they’re sat relaxing in my garden. If this has been going on for a while they’ve used dont gardener furniture more than me.
OP posts:
IrishCharm · 27/07/2021 00:17

Definitely a notice on the table saying they’re trespassing and being recorded at the request of the police!

MegaCityOne · 27/07/2021 00:18

Get one of those cardboard cutouts of a police officer they put in Home Bargains doorway to deter thieves. Have that staring out at your patio.

Original poster
Weird21 · 27/07/2021 00:18

I got the camera as when I went out at night to sit out for a bit cushions weren’t where I’d left them it was little things that seemed a bit wrong. I couldn’t put my finger on it I was expecting it to be a fox or something not the neighbors, I would never have guessed that until I saw the camera footage.

OP posts:
Original poster
Weird21 · 27/07/2021 00:19

@MegaCityOne

Get one of those cardboard cutouts of a police officer they put in Home Bargains doorway to deter thieves. Have that staring out at your patio.
I wish I could get one of these and give them a fright 😂😂
OP posts:
AddsVsGeorgs · 27/07/2021 00:22

100%
Go out Friday, at normal time

Sit and wait

Do not tell the police they are your CK neighbours

Literally say you are miles away and uv seen intruders in your garden….

Thats the only way your going to get rid of them without any come back.

DojoWojo · 27/07/2021 00:23

Can you paint the seats/fence/anything else they might touch?

TalkingOutYerArse · 27/07/2021 00:24

Do you have the camera app on your phone? Ours will notify our phones when movement is detected so you can watch live. If you can do that, just phone the police immediately when they next come in if you are not home.

Warmduscher · 27/07/2021 00:26

That’s really horrible, OP. Do they know you live alone? Maybe they’re thinking you won’t confront them because you live alone?

No doubt someone will be along in a minute saying they’re doing no harm as you’re at work and wouldn’t be using the garden anyway.